Sports / Red Raiders / Big 12

DALLAS — Texas coach Charlie Strong and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops both had team discipline as a hot topic during Tuesday’s Big 12 media-day session. Strong acquired a reputation as a disciplinarian last season after dismissing nine players he inherited from the previous staff.
He brought it up Tuesday, almost right off the bat.

Gundy getting alongbetter with Pickens
DALLAS – Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy says his relationship with billionaire booster Boone Pickens has continued to improve since they mended fences in January.
The Cowboys ended November stuck in a five-game losing streak. Right after that, OSU upset Oklahoma, beat Washington in the Cactus Bowl and Gundy and Pickens got back on reasonably good terms.
“Our communication has been tremendous,” Gundy said during Tuesday’s session of Big 12 media days.

DALLAS — Circle Dec. 6 on your calendar and then, when it gets here, let’s see which advocates of what conference go nuts this year.
Even now, seven months later, I’m not sure some Big 12 fans have gotten over the exclusion of TCU and Baylor from the inaugural College Football Playoff, a reaction both overblown and premature. Not that they all cared about TCU and Baylor. That the Big 12’s fatally flawed is their beef, even if it’s a dubious premise.
How about waiting a year or three for actual, solid evidence?

From Austin to Ames and Lubbock to Morgantown, every college town is unique.
Click here to see Don Williams' rankings (especially if you don't fawn over Austin)
Celebrations range from rushing the field to setting couches on fire.
While the scenery changes from the plains of West Texas to the foliage in Iowa, you can order barbecue just about anywhere — from a favorite downhome Texas kitchen, to a Kansas City joint or Hickory Park in Ames.

LUBBOCK, Texas — Samaje Perine scored three touchdowns, and Cody Thomas threw for one score and ran for another to lead Oklahoma over Texas Tech 42-30 on Saturday.
The win kept OU coach Bob Stoops from consecutive losses for the first time since 1999.
Perine scored touchdowns from 2, 64 and 11 yards. It was the true freshman's second 200-yard performance. He finished with 213 yards on 25 carries.

FORT WORTH — Something is very familiar for No. 25 TCU, even with all those changes on offense.
The Horned Frogs are dominating on defense like they have so often under Gary Patterson, who was their demanding defensive coordinator before becoming head coach nearly 14 years ago.
“I think it’s the same old coach. He wants to be the best defense in the nation,” senior safety Sam Carter said Tuesday. “We get the same thing every day. ... Nothing’s changed. He’s still intense, wants perfection.”

Baylor's Isaiah Austin had a dream that in three days he would finally be part of an NBA roster.
According to scholarshipstats.com, there were 5,370 student athletes who played NCAA Division I men's basketball in 2013. There are currently only 450 athletes maximum in the NBA.
Austin had been projected as a second round pick in Thursday's draft. Unfortunately, his name has recently been connected with something of slimmer odds.

Transfers are as important, if not more, than high school recruiting these days in NCAA men’s basketball. Just look at what Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg has done this offseason. Sure, he signed a 6-1 guard from high school but he also inked a 7-1 forward from Greece as well as brought on a pair of transfers out west. Whatever downside left by the departure of DeAndre Kane and Melvin Ejim will be filled with transfers. Shot blocker Jameel McKay at 6-9 will be eligible to play on Dec. 20 after he transferred in from Marquette after the fall semester.

Texas Tech men's basketball will host Auburn on Dec. 3 to tip-off the 2014 SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
Last season, the Red Raiders fell to Alabama 76-65 because they couldn't contain Alabama's Trevor Releford as he scored 29 points off 5-of-7 shooting from the perimeter.
Auburn also lost its SEC/Big 12 matchup last year 99-70 to Iowa State.
The Tigers finished last season 13-16 overall and 5-12 in conference play.
Auburn also graduated its top scorer from last season Chris Denson.